Huge sixth inning powers Chiefs past Cadets

MOSES LAKE — Eisenhower almost escaped the sixth inning with minimal damage.

Almost.

After Daniel Ochoa connected on a RBI single and Caleb Juarez grounded into a double play that scored one run, the deficit was 7-3.

Next up to bat, Brandon Swett lined a shot that ricocheted off the glove of first baseman Brooks Kelly. Swett’s laser drove in one more run — his second RBI of the day — and Moses Lake created its distance.

Four more runs scored, Cade Tunstall retired the side in the seventh inning and Moses Lake opened Columbia Basin Big Nine play with a 12-3 win.

Early on, it didn’t look like the Chiefs would need that much firepower as starting pitcher Jason Cole cruised through the first three innings. However, the Cadets got to Cole in the fourth inning for three runs.

Brody Andiios hit a RBI double and Dalton Creach smacked a seeing-eye two-run single up the third base line, cutting into Moses Lake’s lead.

Cole pitched four innings with eight strikeouts, which included striking out the side in the first inning.

Nursing a 4-3 lead, Daniel Ochoa provided an insurance run in the home half of the fourth inning with a RBI single. Cameron Duke, who led off with a double, scored on the play.

Ochoa sparked the Chiefs with three RBI, two hits and two runs scored.

Grant Gollehon and Tunstall combined to pitch three innings of relief. Tunstall finished with three strikeouts, including two key punch-outs that ended an Eisenhower threat in the sixth inning.

With a runner on third and the tying run on first base, Tunstall replaced Gollehon with one out. He proceeded to record two consecutive strikeouts to preserve Moses Lake’s 5-3 lead.

Swett, Desmond Ortega and Austin Valdez hit RBI singles in the first inning.

Moses Lake finishes its series with Eisenhower on the road Friday.

Warden sweeps River View

WARDEN — Last year, Warden got off to a slow start from the plate in its opening double-header with River View.

History would not repeat itself as the Cougars completed the sweep 9-0 and 13-0.

“It’s early, but our approach needs to be better at the plate,” head coach Dan Caballero said.

Warden was led by pitchers Tyson Yamane and Guillermo Gonzalez.

Yamane pitched five innings of no-hit baseball, striking out 10. Gonzalez gave up one hit in four innings and struck out 11.

Warden hosts Cashmere Friday at 4:30 p.m.